Drive transmitting mechanism

ABSTRACT

A drive transmitting mechanism having an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft rotates a pump having slidable vanes operative between inner and outer eccentrics for pumping fluid from an inlet to a rotary motor through valve control means. The rotary motor, similar to the pump, includes a driver having a plurality of slidable vanes operative between inner and outer eccentrics. Control means includes a first valve portion which regulates the output of the pump and a second valve portion which regulates flow to the rotary motor. The first valve portion includes a rotatably adjustable cylinder-like member having a segmental wall portion cooperating with a passageway in the housing from the pump for controlling output of the pump. The second valve means also includes a rotatably adjustable member capable of receiving fluid from the pump and selectively directing it through openings and passageways to the rotary motor for accomplishing forward drive, reverse drive and neutral.

Graham Dec. 11, 1973 v DRIVE TRANSMITTING MECHANISM Charles E. Graham, 8021 S.W. Mapleleaf St., Portland, Oreg. 97223 Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 209,677

Inventor:

US. Cl 60/493, 60/456, 60/DIG. 5,

60/D1G. 10 Int. Cl. F1611 39/04 Field of Search 60/53 C, 493, 487, 60/D1G. 10, DIG. 5, 330, 337, 456; 137/596.12

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1968 Willmer 60/337 10/1910 Pearson... 60/53 C 10/1915 Rich 60/53 C 2/1919 Lape 60/53 C 5/1964 Ford 1117/6373 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 4/1935 France 60/493 Primary Examiner-Edgar W. Geo ghegan Att0rney-Eugene M. Eckelman [57] ABSTRACT A drive transmitting mechanism having an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft rotates a pump having slidable vanes operative between inner and outer eccentrics for pumping fluid from an inlet to a rotary motor through valve control means. The rotary motor, similar to the pump, includes a driver having a plurality of slidable vanes operative between inner and outer eccentrics. Control means includes a first valve portion which regulates the output of the pump and a second valve portion which regulates flow to the rotary motor. The first valve portion includes a rotatably adjustable cylinder-like member having a segmental wall portion cooperating with a passageway in the housing from the pump for controlling output of the pump- The second valve meansalso includes a rotatably adjustable member capable of receiving fluid from the pump and selectively directing it through openings and passageways to the rotary motor for accomplishing forward drive, reverse: drive and neutral.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures DRIVE TRANSMITTING MECHANISM This invention relates to new and useful improvements in drive transmitting mechanisms.

The drive transmitting mechanism of the invention has as a primary objective thereof to provide a structure employing a pump and motor disposed in independent chambers and including novel valve means for directing fluid from the pump to the motor.

.Another object is to provide in a drive transmitting mechanism of the type described novel valve means employing a first valve portion disposed in a passageway on the outlet side of the pump for controlling outlet of the pump and a second valve portion disposed between the pump and the motor for accomplishing forward drive, reverse drive and neutral.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drive transmitting mechanism of the type described including a novel arrangement of structure wherein the mechanism may be self-contained in that it includes its own reservoir. Such may be useful for marine use.

Another object is to provide a drive transmitting mechanism of the type .descrived which in its overall construction is inexpensive to manufacture and is simplified to maintain.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred forms of the device.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present drive transmitting mechanism but taken horizontally in section through a valve portion thereof, this view being taken on the line 11 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the transmission taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken similar to FIG. I but showing control mechanism only, such control mechanism being positioned at neutral;

FIG. 5a is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the control mechanism positioned for forward drive;

FIG. 5b is also a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the control mechanism positioned for reverse drive;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 3 showing a first valve portion; and

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an operating member forming a part of the first valve portion, such member being shown apart from the housing;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present drive transmitting mechanism comprises a housing 10 having wall portions 12 and 14, FIG. 2. Wall portion 12 has a removable plate section 16 attached thereto by screws 18, and wall portion 14 has a removable plate 20 held thereon by screws 22. Plate 16 covers an end aperture 24 in the wall portion 12 of the housing 10 and plate 20 covers an end aperture 26 in the wall portion 14of said housing. Projecting through the removable plate 16 and journaled therein by bearings 30 is an input shaft 32, and projecting through the removable plate 20 and journaled therein by bearings 34 is an output shaft 36. The shafts 32 and 36 are not connected at their inward projecting ends but are separated by a portion of the housing, and are supported for rotation in bearings 38 mounted in central shallow bores 40 in the housing.

One portion of the housing comprises a pump portion P. Such includes a first counterbore 42 in which is se cured, as by screws 44, a support plate 46 of an inner eccentric or cam 48 the cross sectional shape of which is best shown in FIG. 3. Inner eccentric 48 is engaged by a plurality of vanes 50 slidably supported radially in a driver or carrier 52 having an upright end wall 54 disposed in an inwardly facing recess 56 on the end plate 16. Driver 52 has a center bore 58 in a hub portion 60 which receives the shaft 32, and unitary rotation between the driver 52 and the shaft 32 is accomplished by key means 62. Hub portion 60 is rotatably received within a bore 64 in the inner eccentric 48, and the driver 52 has an outer flanged portion 66 projecting in the same direction as the hub 62 and concentric therewith. Vanes 50 are slidably mounted for radial movement in the flanged portion 66 of the driver 52.

An insert 70 is supported in the housing and has an inner surface 72 of a contour, only larger, which is identical to the surface of inner eccentric 48 and which is engaged by the outer ends of vanes 50, such that upon rotation of the driver 52 the vanes 50 are confined between the inner surface 72 of the insert and the surface of the inner eccentric. Vanes 50 work back and forth in the flanged wall 66 of the driver on the rotation of the latter. The area 74 between. the insert 70 and the flanged wall 66 comprises a pump chamber.

Insert 70 has an inlet opening 76,FIG. 3, into the pump chamber 74, and housing 12 also has an inlet 78 communicating with the inlet 76. Leading from the inlet 78 is an inlet pipe 80 communicating with a source of liquid to be pumped. Insert 70 has an outlet 82 which is in communication with a passageway 84 within the housing 12. Passageway 84 leads upwardly to a central chamber 86 having a circular defining wall 88 and a bottom wall 90 having an aperture 92. The right side of housing 12, FIG. 3, has a passageway 94 which extends from passageway 84 to the pump chamber 74 through the inlet 76 in the insert 70.

A control valve is mounted in the housing 12 at the juncture of the passageways 84 and 94 with the central upper chamber 86. This valve controls the output of the pump P, and is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 6a. It comprises a pair of circular end walls 102 connected by a segmental laterally arcuate wall portion 104. Wall portion 104 extends approximately I20 around the valve. Valve 100 is rotatably mounted in the housing, and for this purpose, one end wall 102 is rotatably supported in an aperture 106 in wall portion 12 and the other end wall 102 is rotatably supported in a circular recess 108 in the housing 10 on the opposite side of passageway 84 from the end wall 12. Control valve 100 has end shafts 110 journaled in the housing by bearings 112. One of the shafts 110 projects from the housing and is adapted for connection to a control lever.

The segmental wall portion 104 of the control valve 100 is arranged to form a seating engagement against the defining walls of the aperture 92, FIG. 3, in the bottom wall 90 of the central chamber 86 and a curved wall portion 114, FIG. 3, in the housing on the opposite side of the valve from wall 92. In one position of the control valve 100, fluid is blocked from movement into the chamber 86. In such position of the valve the output from the pump can flow into passageway 94 and thus merely circulate in the pump to accomplish a neutral position. Such position of the valve is shown in FIG. 3. To control a partial output of the pump, the control valve 100 is rotated a selected amount such that only a partial portion of the opening 92 exists to chamber 86. In full output, the control valve 100 is rotated selectively such that the entire output of the pump is delivered to the chamber 86. In this position, the flow to passageway 94 is shut off.

The motor portion M of the present transmission is similar to the pump portion P in that it employs a counterbore 118, FIG. 2, which receives a support plate 120 secured in place by screws 122. Plate 120 carries integrally an eccentric 124 thereon, also seen in FIG. 4, engageable by the ends of vanes 126 slidably supported in a flange 127 of a circular driver 128 having an end wall 130 extending into a recess 132 in plate 20. Eccentric 124 has a central bore 134, and driver 128 has a hub 136 rotatably disposed within the bore 134 and keyed to the shaft 36 by' key means 138. The outer ends of vanes 126 engage the inner surface of an insert 140. Such inner surface of the insert has a shape corresponding precisely to the outer surface of the eccentric 124, the shape of these parts being such that the vanes form a driving chamber 142 between the flanged portion 127 of the driver and the inner surface of the insert 140. Insert 140 has an inlet aperture 144 on one side,

FIG. 4, and an outlet aperture 146 on the other side. These apertures communicate respectively with inlet and outlet passageways 148 and 150 in the housing. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pump and motor are enclosed within the same housing but the motor housing, designated by the reference numeral 12a, is enlarged laterally relative to the pump housing.

The chamber 86 is disposed centrally between the pump and motor and has an outer chamber 152 defined between the wall 88 and a circular wall 154 projecting upwardly from the housing 12. The top of the housing is closed by a cover 156. With reference to FIGS. 5, a, and 5b, wall 88 has two openings 158 and 160, such openings being diametrically disposed. Outer wall 154 has openings 162 and 164 of identical location as the openings 158 and 160, respectively.

A valve control member 166 is rotatably supported in chamber 152 and includes a top wall 168, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, having a depending outer flange 170 rotatably engaged with circular wall 154. Also secured to the top wall 168 of the valve is an annular flange 174 which is of less diameter than the flange 1 70 and is rotatably engaged around wall 88. Top wall 168 of the valve abuts against a thrust plate 178 disposed between it and the cover plate 156.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 5a and 5b, the inner flange 174 of the valve and the outer flange 170 have a pair of conduits or passageways 179 and 179a connected therebetween. Reinforcing webs 17% are connected between inner flange 174 and outer flange 170 in the area between conduits 179 and 179a. Inner flange 174 has an opening 180 into the conduit 179 and outer flange 170 has an opening 183 into the conduit 179a.

The conduits 179 and 179a as well as the various openings in the valve 166 and walls 88 and 154 are selectively located to accomplish functions now to be described. Rotation of the valve 166 is accomplished by a shaft 186 projecting through the top wall 156 and through the thrust plate 178 and secured to the top plate 168 of said valve. In the operation of the device, 5 shaft 32 is driven for rotatably operating the driver 52. Such moves fluid from the inlet pipe 80 in the direction of arrow 187, FIG. 3, into the pump which forcefully directs the fluid through passageway 84 in the direction of arrow 188, FIG. 3. If the first control valve 100 is in a neutral position, as shown in FIG. 3 the fluid will be directed back to the pump in the direction of arrow 189, FIG. 3. However, if it is desired that a driving function be accomplished, control valve 100 is suitably rotated to allow fluid pressure to move into the central chamber'86. As was explained hereinbefore, control valve 100 may be only partially opened in which case some of the fluid will be directed to the central chamber 86 and other of the fluid will bypass into passageway 94, or the control valve may be fully opened for full fluid flow into the chamber 86.

The valve 166 has three positions, a neutral position, FIG. 5, a forward position, FIG. 5a, and a reverse position, FIG. 5b. In the neutral position, the valve 166 is arranged such that fluid from chamber 86 is trapped against outflow therefrom. That is, the opening 180 is not in communication with either opening 158 or 160. However, in forward drive, FIG. 5a, the valve 166 is rotated such that the opening 180 in the inner flange 174 is in communication with opening 160 in the upright wall 88. In such position of the valve 166, opening 183 in the outer flange 170 is in communication with opening 162 in the wall 154 of the housing. The parts are selectively arranged such that in the forward setting of valve 166 fluid supplied to the chamber 86 from the pump can flow through the central chamber 86, through the openings 160 and 180 in the direction of arrow 190, FIG. 5a, into conduit 179, and down through passageway 150 in the direction of arrow 192, FIG. 4, to drive the motor in a forward direction of rotation. Discharge from the motor is through passageway 148 in the direction of arrow 194, up into the conduit 179a and out through openings 183 and 162 in the direction of arrow 196, FIGS. 4 and 50, out of the motor.

In reverse drive, FIG. 5b, conduit 179a is aligned with passageway 148 and conduit 179 is aligned with passageway 150. Opening 183 of outer flange 170 is in communication with opening 164 of wall 154 and opening 180 in inner flange 174 is in communication with opening 158 in wall 88. The other avenues of fluid flow being closed, fluid from the central chamber 86 flows through openings 158 and 180 into the conduit 179 in the direction of arrow 198. Fluid then flows into passageway 148 in the direction of arrow 200, FIG. 4, then through the motor to operate the latter in a reverse direction. Fluid being discharged from the motor then passes through passageway 150 in the direction of arrow 202, then up into conduit 179a, and then discharged to the outside of the valve housing through openings 183 and 164.

By means of the two valves 100 and 166, accurate control can be maintained for output of the present drive transmitting mechanism. Control valve 100 may be operated by lever control or the like whereby it can be moved from its off position to full speed position or intermediate positions. It may be spring pressed, similar to existing accelerator means, to return to its off position when released by the operator. The valve 166, having positions of neutral, forward and reverse, may be operated by a shift lever as in present shifting mechanisms.

The structure thus far described may be particularly useful for boat drive transmissions wherein a reservoir casing 204 encloses the housing 12, 12a and the fluid circulates through the pump back into the reservoir. Such reservoir has a water jacket 206 for cooling.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A drive transmitting mechanism comprising,

a. a housing,

b. an input shaft in said housing,

c. an output shaft in said housing,

d. a pump in said housing connected to said input shaft,

e. a rotary motor in said housing connected to said output shaft and arranged to be driven by fluid pressurized by said pump,

f. fluid inlet and outlet means in said housing for said g. fluid inlet and outlet means in said housing for said motor, the fluid outlet means of said pump leading to the fluid inlet means of said motor,

h. said fluid inlet of said motor extending to each side of said motor for producing forward and reverse rotation of the motor,

i. first valve means in said housing disposed between the fluid outlet means of the pump and fluid inlet means of the motor and movable between three positions one of which directs fluid to one side of said motor to produce forward drive, another of which directs fluid to the other side of said motor to produce reverse drive, and the other of which produces neutral drive,

j. opposed seat means in said housing disposed between the fluid outlet means of the pump and the fluid inlet means of the motor,

14. a second valve in said housing comprising an arcuate segmental cylinder wall portion supported by end walls and arranged for engagement by its arcuate portion with said seat portions to control power flow conditions of the fluid to the motor,

1. and means defining passageways in said housing arranged to receive a cooling fluid for cooling said mechanism.

2. The drive transmitting mechanism of claim 1 including means defining an auxiliary passageway extending from said second valve to the inlet means of the pump for providing at a selected time a free circulation of fluid around said pump in a neutral drive.

3. The drive transmitting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first valve includes a casing having circular inner and outer walls with inlet and outlet apertures, the circular inner wall of said casing forming an inlet chamber, said first valve also including a rotatable member having circular inner and outer walls with inlet and outlet apertures, the inner and outer walls of said first valve being movable along the inner and outer walls of said casing, respectively, and arranged in selected positions to control flow of fluid through the inlet chamber and through selected openings in the inner and outer walls of said casing and first valve to control neutral, forward, and reverse drives. 

1. A drive transmitting mechanism comprising, a. a housing, b. an input shaft in said housing, c. an output shaft in said housing, d. a pump in said housing connected to said input shaft, e. a rotary motor in said housing connected to said output shaft and arranged to be driven by fluid pressurized by said pump, f. fluid inlet and outlet means in said housing for said pump, g. fluid inlet and outlet means in said housing for said motor, the fluid outlet means of said pump leading to the fluid inlet means of said motor, h. said fluid inlet of said motor extending to each side of said motor for producing forward and reverse rotation of the motor, i. first valve means in said housing disposed between the fluid outlet means of the pump and fluid inlet means of the motor and movable between three positions one of which directs fluid to one side of said motor to produce forward drive, another of which directs fluid to the other side of said motor to produce reverse drive, and the other of which produces neutral drive, j. opposed seat means in said housing disposed between the fluid outlet means of the pump and the fluid inlet means of the motor, k. a second valve in said housing comprising an arcuate segmental cylinder wall portion supported by end walls and arranged for engagement by its arcuate portion with said seat portions to control power flow conditions of the fluid to the motor, l. and means defining passageways in said housing arranged to receive a cooling fluid for cooling said mechanism.
 2. The drive transmitting mechanism of claim 1 including means defining an auxiliary passageway extending from said second valve to the inlet means of the pump for providing at a selected time a free circulation of fluid around said pump in a neutral drive.
 3. The drive transmitting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first valve includes a casing having circular inner and outer walls with inlet and outlet apertures, the circular inner wall of said casing forming an inlet chamber, said first valve also including a rotatable member having circular inner and outer walls with inlet and outlet apertures, the inner and outer walls of said first valve being movable along the inner and outer walls of said casing, respectively, and arranged in selected positions to control flow of fluid through the inlet chamber and through selected openings in the inner and outer walls of said casing and first valve to control neutral, forward, and reverse drives. 